Antithesis: When contradicting images are placed together to form a paradox, usually in a parallel structure. It helps to emphasize differences that could be overlooked by the reader, by drawing their attention to the stark contrasts. Antithesis is a type of contrast that can help to create suspense and increase drama.
A few simplistic examples of anti-thesis (for a general idea! ) :) William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 2, line 65):
In the coordination scene when Claudius first addresses Hamlet: “CLAUDIUS: How is it that the clouds still hang on you? HAMLET: Not so, my lord. I am too much i’ the sun.”
Antithesis is used in this extract in the parallel ideas when Claudius asks Hamlet about the clouds, a metaphor for grief that still surrounds him. He replies, in both a pun and in antithesis, in a parallel syntax. Hamlet says he is “too much in the sun.” Hamlet contrasts the connotative imagery of cloud: rain, storms, and grief to imagery of sun: joy and happiness. He does this rather sarcastically, and puns the word “sun” with “son” as he is bitter about the loss of his father and the new position of Claudius as his new “father”.
The antithesis functions to heighten the drama and describe the relationship between the two men, as we are first introduced to them. By using antithesis, Hamlet is able to almost slyly, draw attention to the fact that he does not directly answer his uncle’s question, but rather describes his feelings. The antithesis here shows that Hamlet is both sick of being the son of Claudius as well as being in despair. He is the direct opposition situation than what his uncle believes.
Robert Frost’s Mending Wall (line 46):
He says again, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
In this passage Frost uses antithesis to emphasize through the parallel structure of the repetition of how “good’ fences which are a wall between people, actually function as a passageway to something resembling friendship. This situation where the two neighbors come every spring and rebuild the wall, suggests that through this action of putting a physical barrier up between them, the wall paradoxical functions to bring them closer (physically and emotionally). This is both an example of antithesis and aphorism.
The antithesis finally functions to heighten the meaning of the poem and the connection that the characters’ have through the contrasting images of a barrier and acceptance in friendship. The paradox of a fence allowing ideas and relationships through it, is a subtle image that would not be as drastic without the parallel structure.
A few simplistic examples of anti-thesis (for a general idea! ) :)
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 2, line 65):
In the coordination scene when Claudius first addresses Hamlet:
“CLAUDIUS: How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
HAMLET: Not so, my lord. I am too much i’ the sun.”
Antithesis is used in this extract in the parallel ideas when Claudius asks Hamlet about the clouds, a metaphor for grief that still surrounds him. He replies, in both a pun and in antithesis, in a parallel syntax. Hamlet says he is “too much in the sun.” Hamlet contrasts the connotative imagery of cloud: rain, storms, and grief to imagery of sun: joy and happiness. He does this rather sarcastically, and puns the word “sun” with “son” as he is bitter about the loss of his father and the new position of Claudius as his new “father”.
The antithesis functions to heighten the drama and describe the relationship between the two men, as we are first introduced to them. By using antithesis, Hamlet is able to almost slyly, draw attention to the fact that he does not directly answer his uncle’s question, but rather describes his feelings. The antithesis here shows that Hamlet is both sick of being the son of Claudius as well as being in despair. He is the direct opposition situation than what his uncle believes.
Robert Frost’s Mending Wall (line 46):
He says again, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
In this passage Frost uses antithesis to emphasize through the parallel structure of the repetition of how “good’ fences which are a wall between people, actually function as a passageway to something resembling friendship. This situation where the two neighbors come every spring and rebuild the wall, suggests that through this action of putting a physical barrier up between them, the wall paradoxical functions to bring them closer (physically and emotionally). This is both an example of antithesis and aphorism.
The antithesis finally functions to heighten the meaning of the poem and the connection that the characters’ have through the contrasting images of a barrier and acceptance in friendship. The paradox of a fence allowing ideas and relationships through it, is a subtle image that would not be as drastic without the parallel structure.
By: Kaylee Sager